Audlem Baptist Church Online Service for the 27^th April 2025 Flawed Follower This is the first service in this series.
Week One: When Jesus Calls
	Welcome and Introduction This week we begin a new series based around the life of the apostle Peter. It follows on wonderfully well from our Easter Sunday message and, for those of us who have watched the Film Nights of The Chosen, or for those of you who are catching up with Series One, it provides additional insight into the lives of the apostles as they ‘followed’ Jesus.
	Optional PDF Message Notes This is completely optional. Click here to open the message notes in a new tab. Select that tab to either view or print the notes on your home printer. If you choose to print the notes, you will gradually build up a complete set that will remind you of the things you have learnt during the series. If you want to do this, print the notes now, before we start.
	Song: I Will Follow For a series titled ‘Flawed Follower’ this seemed an obvious choice of song to have as the first song of the series. Click here to watch the video.
	The Message: When Jesus Calls Click here to watch the video. You can stop it when the musicians start to play a song (which we are not familiar with). We will have our own song to follow next. You can alter the Vimeo settings using the controls at the bottom right of the screen. The gear wheel on the left adjusts the quality (480 may be enough) and the four arrows on the right shows the video full screen. Vimeo will display Subtitles by toggling the control indicated by the CC box and choosing ‘English’ as the language.
	Song: Will You Come and Follow Me? This is one of my favourite hymns and videos, so it was an easy choice for something to follow the message. Often this song is given the title “The Summons”. Really that was what Jesus did. It wasn’t ‘How do you feel about being one of my disciples, Simon’? It was direct. “Simon. Follow me and I will change your life!” Click here to watch the video.
	Our Own Prayers As you watched the message today was there a moment when you sensed the Holy Spirit speaking directly to you? Then tell Jesus about it. Or maybe you simply had a ‘lightbulb’ moment which you would like to thank God for. Spend a few moments to thank God for all his goodness to you in the last week. Spend a few minutes in confession. Take a few minutes to pray for others who you feel burdened for. If you have received the Church Email, it will give you some suggestions. Now spend a few moments praying for the fellowship of the church to which we belong and its witness to friends, family, neighbours, the young and the old, and to the wider world.
	Optional Additional Video Filmed in the Holy Land Rene and the team travelled to Galilee to make a series of films – one for each week of the series. Each one gives more background to the story of the flawed follower and the other disciples and, for those of us who have watched The Chosen, adds more background to the gospel account. The film lasts about 12 minutes. Please watch it if you have time. Click here to watch the video.
	A Closing Prayer Loving God, As we reflect on the story of Jesus calling Simon Peter and the others, we are reminded of your call to discipleship. We thank you for the abundance you provide when we follow your lead, even when it means leaving behind what we know and venturing into the deep. Help us to listen to your voice, to trust your guidance, and to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. May we be bold in our faith, eager to share the Good News, and always ready to serve your will. Amen.